Turning onto a narrow one lane forest service road just passed the Glacier Ranger station, we wound our way through old growth trees and pockets of sunshine. Eight miles and many jarring potholes later we found ourselves at the packed parking lot for the Mount Baker Summit and Heliotrope Ridge trail head. Shouldering our packs we headed into the mist. The quiet surrounded us as we trudged along each lost in our own thoughts. Occasionally we would pass a group going up or coming down. The ones descending often had summitted  earlier that morning since the weather had been good for climbing. The precarious creek crossing 1 1/2 miles in usually has us hunting for suitable foot placement. The we climb as bit or head straight across depending upon the water level and this day was no exception to that. Earlier in the day we headed straight across but by afternoon we chose our steps with a bit more care since the water level had risen a bit. Towards the end of the trail we started to hear the ear piecing whistles of the resident marmots. We made our way up to the ridge over looking Coleman Glacier when at my feet came a whistle loud and high enough to break glass.  The furry little beast hustled off into the brush. I dropped my pack and threw myself onto my belly as I crawled after the rodent with my camera posed to start snapping photos.  It was my chance to get a close of the critter. He skittered over the edge of the ridge, hoping from boulder to boulder until he reached to the edge of the glacier.  What I didn't realize was how many there were out and about ready for their spring time romps among the strewn boulders.  They provided entertainment for the groups of hikers all along the ridge.  Eating a picnic lunch we returned home, happy and a bit weary.